Tips on how to raise money for Guide Dogs

As regular readers may already know, we’re in the middle of a massive fundraising effort – to raise £50,000 to sponsor a guide dog for life, and give someone with sight loss the chance to reclaim their independence.

We know how fantastic our readers are at giving to great causes – thank you so much for everything you’ve helped us raise so far! With Guide Dogs Week taking place from October 5-13, we thought now was the perfect time to share our top five inspirational ideas on how to help us raise the first £5,000 we need to name our Yours puppy.

1 Touch and taste:Host a sensory quiz – blindfold contestants and give them things to touch, taste and smell. Be as cruel or as kind as you like!

2 Dance the night away:Whether you love Strictly-style ballroom or prefer a crazy Zumba-style workout, organise a dance-athon and get sponsored to strut your stuff.

3 Dress to impress:Whether it’s at work or with friends at home, why not persuade people to don fancy dress for the day? Make it doggy-themed and you’re sure to have a laugh!

4 Celebrate in style:If you’ve got a special birthday or anniversary on the horizon, why not ask family and friends to donate to Guide Dogs instead of buying presents.

5 Watch your waistline:With Christmas just a few months away, now’s the time to stick to the diet! Give up your daily crisps or chocolate treat, and donate the money you would have spent to Guide Dogs.

What the Yours team are doing…

Here in the Yours office, we’re getting active for Guide Dogs. Writer Laura Bradder is taking part in a 5km fun run, while project manager Rhiannon Newson is set to run a huge half marathon to help us race to that £5,000 total!

Selling unwanted goods is a great way to raise money – we’ve been trading in our old books online, which has already raised around £300. And, in true Mary Berry style, we’re planning a Bake Off Cake Sale, which we hope will raise a tasty amount.

Let us know what you’re doing in aid of the Yours puppy by emailing us.

*You will be charged £3 plus one message at your standard rate. The appeal will receive 99-100 percent of your donation, depending on your provider. By using this service you agree that Guide Dogs may call you in the future. If you’d rather they didn’t, please text NOTHANKS to 83310, UK mobiles only